Essay About Top 5 Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History
Most of the time, Shooting Guards are the Go-To-Guys of a team in terms of putting the rock into the hole.
They are primarily known for their awesome scoring skills (Isolation plays or Team set plays), lockdown defense, crazy three point accuracy and their ability to fire up the crowd with their acrobatic shots.
This list is somewhat a given. We all know who the number 1 is, but what the heck, let’s do it anyway.
Without further ado, here are the best Shooting Guards that ever walked the face of the Earth.
Best Shooting Guards of All Time
5. Ray Allen – Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle Supersonics, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
Starting off at number 5. The best three pointer in NBA history, Ray Allen.
With his quick release jumpshot and consistent form, he was able to knock down 2,973 trifectas in the course of his entire career. But the one thing that’s entirely forgotten about him is his slashing ability and defensive prowess.
He is known to be one of the most clutch players of all time. Just watch the three pointer in the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs and you will know what I’m talking about.
Oops, I almost forgot. He’s a movie star too. Watch the movie “He Got Game” with Denzel Washington if you want to see Ray-Ray’s acting skills.
Career Achievements:
- 2× NBA champion (2008, 2013)
- 10× NBA All-Star (2000–2002, 2004–2009, 2011)
- All-NBA Second Team (2005)
- All-NBA Third Team (2001)
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
- NBA Sportsmanship Award (2003)
- NBA Three-Point Shootout champion (2001)
- Leads the NBA in Three Pointers Made (2,973)
4. George Gervin – Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
Sitting at the number 4 spot is the master of the finger-roll. The Ice Man, George Gervin.
This guy is snobbed when everyone’s talking about the greatest shooting guards of all time. Honestly, I haven’t got the time to watch his full games to say this. But there are the stats to back up my claims.
He can score at will, from the looks of his highlight plays. With his height of 6’7, defending his smaller counterparts is as easy as stretching his arms and contesting the shots.
At the twilight of his career, he still managed to put up 16.2 PPG. Not entirely bad for an old player like the Ice Man.
Career Achievements:
- 9× NBA All-Star (1977–1985)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP (1980)
- 5× All-NBA First Team (1978–1982)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1983)
- 4× NBA scoring champion (1978–1980, 1982)
- 3× ABA All-Star (1974–1976)
- 2× All-ABA Second Team (1975, 1976)
- ABA All-Rookie First Team (1973)
3. Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies
The best pound-for-pound player of all time, in my opinion.
Iverson is primarily known for his breathtaking crossovers and anklebreakers. But people always forget about his pesky defense and ability to share the rock.
One of the best players ever not to win a ring. Best player in terms of size and impact to the game.
He singlehandedly made NBA cool again. Iverson jerseys are everywhere in the mid 2000’s. No one rocked a braided hairstyle and sleeves like Allen Iverson. Look at the players today, they got that style from A.I.
He’s also known for one other thing, practice. His notorious interview with the press certainly affected his career. David Stern wrecked his career because of this Ghetto attitude.
We certainly miss this player, like him or hate him. No one with his size can deliver a larger impact than him.
Career Achievements:
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2001)
- 11× NBA All-Star (2000–2010)
- 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1999, 2001, 2005)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2002, 2003)
- All-NBA Third Team (2006)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1997)
- NBA Rookie Challenge MVP (1997)
- 4× NBA scoring champion (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005)
- 3× NBA steals leader (2001–2003)
- 7× NBA minutes leader (1999, 2002–2004, 2006–2008)
2. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers
We all know that the Black Mamba is on this list and certainly his placement here.
A lot of people are saying that Kobe is the poor man’s Michael Jordan. But I beg to differ.
Kobe has passed Mr. Jordan in the All-Time Scoring list. A feat that made some people think that Kobe might be better than Jordan. He also holds the Most Field Goals missed but that’s nothing to argue about, right?!
He might have been the Robin in their ShaqKobe tandem, but there are stats that will prove to you that Shaquille O’Neal didn’t piggybacked Kobe to win their championship. It’s a mutual thing.
Think about this, if Kobe hasn’t missed those shots, where will Shaquille get his rebounds and putbacks? Logic, people. Logic.
Career Achievements:
- 5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
- 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
- 18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
- 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
- 11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2001)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
- 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2012)
- 2× NBA scoring champion (2006, 2007)
- NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
Before we go down to the top 1 of this list, here are some honorable mentions.
- Reggie Miller
- Alex English
- Clyde Drexler
- Manu Ginobili
- Vince Carter
- Tracy McGrady
- Earl Monroe
- Sam Jones
- Joe Dumars
- Mitch Richmond
- Bill Sharman
- Latrell Sprewell
And the King of all the SG’s is none other than,
1. Michael Jordan – Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
We all know who is the best shooting guard of all time. Maybe even the greatest player of all time.
They don’t call him “Air Jordan” for no reason. His hangtime is breathtaking. His ability to adjust his shot in midair makes you think that basketball is unfair with a skill like that.
After the Bird Vs. Magic Rivalry has ended, he gave the NBA fans a reason to watch this game. Who knows, maybe the NBA might have ended up in bankruptcy if this guy didn’t exist. Who knows.
His Airness still holds the record of the highest point per game on this day. Many critics argue that he’s not looking to make his teammates better and he’s a ball hog. LeBron fans even say that their man is better than Jordan because his stats look more evenly divided.
All I can say is, the best stat that a superstar can have is the win stat. In this caliber, nobody gives a damn whether you score 20 points and dish off only 3 assists as long as your team wins. They have 6 championships in the span of 8 years.
If that’s not winning for you, I don’t really know what can I say to convince you. 6-0 is better than 3-5? Yeah, that’s it.
Career Achievements:
- 6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
- 6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
- 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
- 14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003)
- 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
- 10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
- All-NBA Second Team (1985)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
- 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988–1993, 1996–1998)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
- 10× NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
- 3× NBA steals leader (1988, 1990, 1993)
- 2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987, 1988)
